Multi-metal golf clubs

Abstract

A composite material golf club head is provided having a body made from a first metal and a face insert press fitted to a portion of the body and made from a second metal. The metals are chosen so that the first metal is heavier than the second metal. The second metal is disposed towards the front and top of the body, and is preferably hard-anodized. In addition, an interlocking structure, for example rectangular or dove tail shaped channels, is provided in the body so that the face insert becomes embedded in the interlocking structure to anchor the face insert to the body. Portions of the golf club head, such as the face insert or sole plate, are anodized to protect against corrosion. The anodized coating is colored to improve aesthetic characteristics or infused with a polymer to increase or reduce friction.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to golf clubs, and more specifically to multi-metal golf clubs.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Perimeter weighting in a golf club distributes the mass of the club toward the perimeter, minimizing the effects of off-center hits on the face of the golf club away from the sweet spot and producing more accurate and consistent golf ball trajectories. Perimeter weighting is achieved by creating a cavity in the back of the golf club opposite the face or hitting surface. The material weight saved by creating this cavity is redistributed around the perimeter of the golf club head. In general, larger cavity volumes correspond to increased amounts of mass distributed around the perimeter. Additionally, more of the perimeter weight is moved to the sole of the club to move the center of gravity downward and rearward.[0003]Alternative approaches for moving the center of gravity of a golf club head rearward and downward in the club head ut...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention is also directed at anodizing at least one part of the golf club head, preferably the face insert. In an alternative embodiment, all the components of the club head are anodized. The face insert, the body of the club head or both can be anodized. For example, the face insert can be made from an anodized aluminum, or the body portion can be made from anodized titanium, or both. A polymer such as PTFE, polyurethane or polyurea can be added to the anodized layer to enhance the performance of the clubs.

Problems solved by technology

However, composite materials must be bonded together, for example by welding, swaging, or using bonding agents such as epoxy, and may be subject to delamination or corrosion over time.

This component delamination or corrosion results in decreased performance in the golf club head and can lead to club head failure.

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